[A/S] Finally!

["Don (MI)" <dash7_@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

After searching for an Airstream for almost a year and a half, and 
mostly lurking here during that time, we finally found "the
one" at 
the local AS dealer (Woodland Travel Center in Grand Rapids). We are 
now the proud owners of a 98 Excella 25 and are looking forward to 
being on the road again.  We also have a 68 Overlander that we used 
extensively in the 70's and early 80's, until the kids
activities 
limited the amount of time we had for travel.  It's been stored
so 
long it now needs restoration.  The plan was to have a newer AS for 
use while restoring the Overlander but now I'm not sure there is 
going to be time for the restoration once we start traveling again!  
We'll have to see how that is going to work out.

Following this list has been very helpful in our search.  For 
example, knowing about floor damage allowed us to spot the extensive 
damage in a 31 Excella that otherwise looked great.  It kept us from 
having two projects on our hands.

To those looking for an AS, don't become discouraged if you
don't 
quickly find the one that fits your desires.  Look at every one you 
find for sale, regardless of price or length and you'll soon have
a 
sense of what a good value is in your area.  We were leaning toward a 
29'-31' as the length we would need.  When we looked at this
25', 
Carol walked to the back and returned saying "this is exactly
what we 
need" and I had the same feeling.  But the price was higher then
what 
we had arbitrarily decided to spend.  Our price range would put us in 
a 15 year old AS with all of the fixing and cleaning that typically 
goes with that age.  The Excella was basically "ready to go".
 The 
issue boiled down to where we would rather spend our time, on the 
road or tinkering with a trailer.  Obviously, we chose to be on the 
road and the additional cost became a "good value" because it
will 
allow us to do what we enjoy most.

By the way, the latest issue "July, 2003" of Martha
Stewart's LIVING 
magazine, features an article with a 1971 Airstream beginning on page 
120.  Not too many details about the Airstream but interesting just 
the same.

Don & Carol Firlik
98 Excella 25
98 Dodge Cummins